Concurrent Validity and Reliability of Video-Based Approach to Assess Physical Function in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the concurrent validity and reliability of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International recommended performance-based tests delivered by video-based in adults with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Thirty-two participants (aged 40 to 70 years; 15 men) undertook assessments of 4 performance-based tests via both video-based (real-time and recorded) and face-to-face approaches, on the same day. Outcome measures were performance-based test and the number of technical issues encountered. The performance-based tests included the 40-Meter Fast-Paced Walk Test (velocity, m/s), the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (number of repetitions), the Stair Climb Test (time, seconds), and the Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG; time, seconds). The Bland-Altman limit of agreement measures, standard error of measurement (SEM), coefficient of variation (CV), minimal detectable changes (MDCs), and bias (mean difference) were employed to analyse the concurrent validity between video-based and face-to-face approaches of the performance-based tests. Reliability was measured using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), CV, and SEM. RESULTS: A high degree of concurrent validity for the TUG (bias = -0.22), the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (bias = -0.22), the Stair Climb Test (bias = -0.31), and the 40-Meter Fast-Paced Walk Test (bias = -0.06) was found. SEM and CV values were within the acceptable level for concurrent validity. There was a high degree of reliability demonstrated for all tests analysed. ICC measures ranged from 0.95 to 1.00 for intrarater reliability, and from 0.95 to 0.99 for interrater reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Video-based assessment of physical performance tests is a valid and reliable tool for measuring physical function among adults with knee osteoarthritis via Microsoft Teams (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA, USA). IMPACT: Video-based assessment is a promising public health tool to measure physical function in adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Interrater and Intrarater Reliability and Minimum Detectable Change of Ultrasound for Active Myofascial Trigger Points in Upper Trapezius Muscle in Individuals With Shoulder Pain.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the interrater and intrarater reliability of ultrasound and the minimum detectable change (MDC) for the trigger points (TrPs) active in the upper trapezius (UT) muscle in individuals with shoulder pain. METHODS: Forty individuals with shoulder pain were investigated for the presence of active TrPs in the UT muscle by means of ultrasound for the parameters of gray scale, muscle thickness of UT muscle at rest, and contraction and area of TrPs. The intrarater reliability was performed on 2 days, and interrater reliability on the same day. For the gray scale, the reliability was evaluated using the kappa coefficient (κ), while the other parameters were measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and MDC. RESULTS: For the gray scale, the intrarater agreement was almost perfect (κ = 1.00) and the interrater agreement was substantial (κ = 0.75). The intrarater and interrater reliability were excellent for most of the parameters, except for the area of TrPs (intrarater: ICC = 0.71, substantial; interrater: ICC = 0.52, substantial). The MDC for intrarater reliability varied between 0.04 and 0.05 (SEM% between 2.4% and 38.87%), and that for interrater reliability ranged from 0.05 to 0.07 (SEM% between 3.18% and 55.10%), with a higher value for area. CONCLUSION: Parameters such as gray scale, resting muscle thickness, and muscle contraction of the UT muscle, obtained through ultrasound, showed excellent intrarater and interrater reliability with low SEM%. The intrarater and interrater reliability for the area deserves a caveat regarding their use.

The Effectiveness of Ischemic Compression Technique on Pain and Function in Individuals With Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review current literature to determine the effectiveness of the ischemic compression (IC) technique on pain and function in individuals with shoulder pain. METHODS: This review was conducted according to recommendations of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews; a search was performed in the electronic databases PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SPORTDiscus, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Web of Science. Randomized clinical trials and quasi-randomized clinical trials were included, and the methodological quality was evaluated through the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. RESULTS: The search found 572 studies; of these, 71 were selected by title and, subsequently, 29 were selected through abstract analyses. After critical analyses, 5 studies were included. The methodological quality ranged from 4 (reasonable) to 9 (excellent) points. Pain was assessed by all studies using the visual analog scale, Global Perceived Effect scale, Numerical Rating Scale, pressure pain threshold, or Perceived Amelioration Numerical Scale. Function was evaluated by 3 studies through the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index; Neck Disability Index; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment; and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaires. The studies showed that the IC technique produces immediate and short-term positive effects for pain, and positive short-term effects for shoulder function in individuals with shoulder pain. CONCLUSION: The IC technique seems to be beneficial for pain and shoulder function. However, caution is needed when considering this evidence owing to the limited quality of some studies, the few articles found, and the lack of standardization of the application parameters of the technique to facilitate its reproducibility.

Queixas musculoesqueléticas e qualidade de vida entre bancários de instituições públicas e privadas / Musculoskeletal complaints and quality of life in workers of public and private banking institutions

A inserção da tecnologia no ambiente de trabalho acaba, por vezes, impondo uma sobrecarga ocupacional que pode refletir em queixas de dores musculoesqueléticas, interferindo na qualidade de vida. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar as queixas musculoesqueléticas e qualidade de vida em profissionais bancários de instituições públicas e privadas. Pesquisa descritiva com 124 voluntários de bancos públicos (n = 66) e privados (n = 58) da região de Santa Maria/RS. A avaliação das queixas musculoesqueléticas foi realizada por meio do questionário nórdico e a qualidade de vida pelo questionário SF-36. Ambos os grupos apresentaram dor musculoesquelética com maior predominância nos funcionários da rede pública (p = 0,002). As regiões mais referenciadas foram pescoço, ombro e região inferior das costas. Apesar das queixas serem superiores em funcionários públicos, a qualidade de vida dos voluntários foi considerada boa e não houve diferença entre os grupos (p = 0,330).

The technology insertion in the workplace imposes an occupational burden that may reflect on complaints of musculoskeletal pain and interferes with quality of life. This study aimed to identify the musculoskeletal complaints and quality of life in banking professionals from public and private institutions (p = 0,002). Descriptive study with 124 volunteers from public (n = 66) and private banks (n = 58) of Santa Maria/RS. The musculoskeletal complaints assessment was measured with the Nordic questionnaire and the quality of life with SF-36 questionnaire. Both groups had musculoskeletal pain with greater prevalence in employees of public banks (p = 0,002). The most referred regions were neck, shoulder and lower back. Despite the public employees had more complaints, the quality of life of volunteers was considered good and there was no difference between groups (p = 0,330).

Influence of Spinal Manipulation on Autonomic Modulation and Heart Rate in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of thoracic spinal manipulation (SM) on autonomic modulation and heart rate in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy. METHODS: The design of the study was quasi-experimental. Participants were divided into 3 study groups: the asymptomatic group (n = 30), which received SM; the tendinitis group (TG, n = 30), which received SM; and the placebo group (PG, n = 30), which received placebo manipulation. Heart rate variability was analyzed with an electrocardiogram before and after intervention. For intragroup analysis, the paired Wilcoxon test was used to compare the means (pre vs post) of sex and age divided into 5 age groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test was employed for analysis between the groups, and a significance level of 5% was adopted. RESULTS: The TG demonstrated an increase in respiratory rate (mean of the selected intervals corresponding to parasympathetic activity) post intervention for both sexes (P = .04). Heart rate exhibited reduction post intervention in women in the TG (P = .05). The PG demonstrated an increase in respiratory rate post intervention for both sexes (female P = .01; male P = .02). In the age groups, only the PG presented any difference in the 40- to 50-year and 50- to 60-year age groups (P = .03) for the same variable. Heart rate exhibited a reduction post intervention in women in the PG (P = .01) and a reduction in the 50- to 60-year age group (P = .04). No difference in the studied variables was observed in the asymptomatic group, and there were no differences among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Upper thoracic SM does not directly influence autonomic modulation or heart rate.